A Sweet and Sassy Match

by Stevie MacFarlane

  “Did you eat anything today, Jo?” he asked, watching her closely.

  “Yes, I had a…a smoothie this afternoon.”

  Sam looked at his watch. “It’s almost eight p.m., and all you ate today was a smoothie?”

  “I know, it sounds terrible and stupid, but…”

  “No, it sounds stupid for an average person to do something like that, for you it was dangerous.”

  “I had a lot to do today. There are things I have to take care of on the weekends.”

  “I believe I asked you this once before, but at the risk of being redundant, I’ll ask again. While you’re taking care of everyone else, who takes care of you, Jo?”

  “I take care of myself, Sam. I always have.”

  “Well, to put it bluntly, you’re doing a piss poor job,” he admonished. “Clean your plate if you want me to even think about giving you some of those strawberries. The wine will keep for later.”

  Jo looked down at her plate and realized she had stopped eating while he scolded her and picked up her fork. After taking a few more bites and moving the food around on her plate for the time it took Sam to finish eating, Jo stood and started cleaning up. Quietly she packed the leftovers back in the basket. Sam took them out again and put them in Jo’s fridge. She started to protest that it was way too much food, and he should take it with him, but stopped mid-sentence when his eyebrow shot up. Good grief, how that man could say so much without uttering a single word, she’d never know. Finally the kitchen was in order and Sam picked up the strawberries, grabbed Jo’s hand and pulled her into the living room. Seating her on his lap on the large couch, Sam fed her a strawberry, his body tightening when she moaned in pleasure. Her small pink tongue glided over her lips, capturing every tiny drop of sweetness. When Sam picked up another berry, Jo wiggled her butt, closed her eyes and opened her mouth in anticipation. It took a tremendous amount of willpower on Sam’s part not to taste those sweet red lips, and by the third berry, he was out of options. Either he sucked the juice off her tempting mouth or moved her off his lap. He was already rock hard and how she didn’t feel him rising against her tight little bottom, was beyond him.

  As it happened, he did both. The drop of red juice on her lips drew him like a magnet and he pulled her against his chest, tipped her head and took her mouth in a hungry kiss that had him groaning. The taste of her drove him wild and he didn’t for a moment believe it was the chocolate. His tongue swept the crease of her lips until she opened to his demand. Her breathy little sighs did nothing to discourage him and his hard hands cradled her head, holding her in position. Sam absolutely knew that if he took those hands away from her head, he would be stripping the clothes off her, cupping her breasts and laying her out beneath him. He could feel her trembling, her hands fisted in his shirt, pulling him closer. His tongue backed off and hers followed it right into his mouth where he sucked on it gently. Jo’s wiggling let him know she felt him beneath her and wanted closer contact. In a split second, Sam made a decision and broke the kiss, plunking Jo down on the other end of the couch before she could stop him.

  “Hey,” she protested, pulling her knees up and wrapping her arms around them. “I wasn’t done kissing you.”

  “And I’m not done kissing you, Jo, but we have to stop.”

  “Why?”

  “Because once I make you mine, I doubt I’ll be able to let you go. You have to know who I am Jo, what I do for a living,” Sam insisted.

  “I know who you are. You’re a man who believes in spanking women and you’re a treasure hunter,” Jo answered, her head tipped and resting on her knees. Her hair flowed down her side and her wide indigo eyes watched him. Oh, please, she thought. Don’t let me be wrong about this man. Not this one!

  Sam settled into his corner of the couch and looked at her as he stretched his long legs out.

  “That’s true, Jo, but there is more, much more, that you need to understand before we can go any farther. Every time I see you, I want you more. I would have liked to wait a while longer, until you get to know me better, but it seems that won’t be possible. Everything with you seems to move at warp speed, at least on my end. Do you usually feel this strong about someone on such a short acquaintance?”

  “No. Usually it takes months before I even think about an intimate relationship with someone I’m dating,” she admitted. “I have no idea why this is different; all I know is that I’ve never known someone like you. As strange as it seems, I can’t seem to stop thinking about you, even with your quirky little hobby. I hate being bossed around, always have, but when you do it, I guess I feel kind of flattered. Nobody pays much attention to me, not as a woman anyway. You notice everything and I guess it makes me feel…kind of special.”

  “Jo, you are special, you have no idea how special. Hopefully, when we finish talking you’ll understand.”

  Chapter Five

  “I’m going to get a glass of wine. You can have one if you feel alright, but if not, you better tell me,” Sam said firmly.

  “I’m fine, Sam, and yes, I would like a glass. I know what happened was shocking to you, but really, I’ve been through it before, and as soon as I eat, I’m better.”

  “That may be, Jo, but there won’t be any more episodes like today, not if I have anything to say about it.”

  While Sam headed to the kitchen, Jo flew to her bathroom for some damage control. Well, hell, she thought getting a good look at herself in the mirror. Her hair was wild, one eye had mascara smeared under it, and blue frosting was dribbled on her shirt. And he thinks this is attractive, she mentally shrieked. Jo washed her face and repaired her make-up as quickly as she could. Ripping off her top she threw it into the hamper and grabbed her brush on the way to her closet. Brushing the tangles out of her hair, she surveyed her options and pulled a clean top off the hanger. The light blue sweater brought out the color of her eyes and accented her dark hair. When her hair hung down her back in a silky swirl, Jo returned to the living room.

  Sam was standing in the center of the room, holding two glasses of wine when Jo returned. Handing one to Jo, he slipped his arm around her waist and pulled her close. Kissing the top of her head, she heard him whisper, “Beautiful,” before he released her and steered her back to her end of the couch.

  Nervous, Jo said a little prayer that Sam wouldn’t tell her anything she couldn’t handle. Sam was bigger than life in some ways, and already she couldn’t imagine him not being part of hers. She would hate it if she had to stop seeing him, now that she wanted him so badly. It wasn’t as if she was attracted to every man she met. She could count on one finger the number of men who left her with wet panties, and that one was Sam. Who are you kidding? a little voice whispered. Pretty much, if the man’s not a serial killer, you’re in. Jo sipped her wine and waited quietly for Sam to continue. For some silly reason, it felt like her entire future hung on this moment.

  Sam angled himself so he could look directly at Jo and pulled out his wallet. Reaching in, he extracted a card and passed it to her in silence.

  Jo took the elegantly embossed card and studied it for several minutes.

  Sugar Babies

  Let Us Fulfill Your Heart’s Desire

  Discrete and Confidential Matches Arranged

  Jo looked at Sam and giggled.

  “So you run a dating service? What’s so secretive about that? There are tons of sites like this on the web.”

  “It’s a little more involved than that, Jo. Remember when I told you I was a treasure hunter, and that I catered to a certain clientele?”

  “Yes, you said that you traveled around looking for priceless treasures for wealthy clients.”

  “Jo, the majority of those treasures are women,” Sam said, “and the majority of my clients are men, very wealthy men.”

  Jo studied the card, an intense look of concentration of her face, while Sam studied her. Finally her hand began to tremble and her face took on an ashen hue. Flinging the card
at him, she jumped off the couch and began to pace the room.

  “So, you’re a… a pimp?” she shot out accusingly, her voice tight with horror.

  “Absolutely not,” Sam answered, appalled. He knew the risks of telling her this early in their relationship were high, but it had not occurred to him that she would see it quite that way. Yes, he was secretive about his profession, but that was to protect his clients and the women they sought. Nothing he did was illegal in any way, and, in fact, his services kept many young women from having to make the choice between prostitution and starvation. He had rescued countless women from horrible situations, some life threatening, and offered them a chance they would never in a million years have been able to find on their own.

  “That’s kind of what it sounds like to me, Sam,” Jo insisted. “You find priceless treasures, which translate into beautiful women, and match them, or sell them, to extremely wealthy men.”

  “Jo, sit down and listen to what I’m telling you,” Sam demanded. “I don’t sell anyone, anything. I arrange meetings and possible matches between men and women who are seeking a long-term relationship. Beauty comes in many forms, Jo, so if you’re thinking I hook up young beauty queens with dirty old men, you’re way off base. All of our clients are put through a background check that rivals the Secret Service. We operate strictly on a referral basis; it’s not like anyone can call up and request a girl. All of our women are also screened for criminal records, although some of those are overlooked if the circumstances warrant.”

  “If the criteria for your ‘treasures’ isn’t beauty, what is it, Sam?” Jo demanded. “What constitutes a ‘treasure’ in you world?”

  “Oh, Jo, that’s difficult to explain,” Sam replied, running his hand through his hair in frustration.

  “I thought it might be,” she shot back sarcastically.

  “Johanna, sit your ass down and let’s talk about this like rational people,” he ordered. “When we’re done, if you don’t want to see me anymore, I’ll walk out that door and never bother you again.” Like hell.

  “I’ll sit when I feel like sitting, and right now I don’t feel like it. Why would you do this to me, Sam? I was really starting to like you and now…shit, you’re such as ass!” she cried, her hand hiding her eyes.

  Getting off the couch, Sam took the glass out of her hand and set it on the coffee table. Jo struggled when he pulled her into his arms, but she was no match for his strength. Holding her trembling body against him, Sam soothed her, rubbing his hand up and down her back.

  “Jo, baby, please stop carrying on and listen to me,” he said.

  “If there’s nothing illegal or immoral about this business of yours, Sam, then why all the mystery?” she demanded. “Why have you been so secretive about it? Why don’t you advertise like all the other match- making services?”

  Sam pulled Johanna to the couch and down onto his lap before he answered, his arms securely wrapped around her. She was going to hear him out one way or the other.

  “Jo, you’ve led a relatively sheltered life so far. You live in the same city where you grew up. Many of your friends are from high school and college. The men you’ve probably dated were just like you, locals who are interested in a relatively normal ‘vanilla’ relationship. A few dinners, movies, maybe some dancing and then sex; one man, one woman and your basic intercourse positions and an ‘I’ll call you tomorrow.’ Am I right?”

  Jo looked down at her hands and squirmed a little on his lap.

  “Yeah, so?” she asked with an almost imperceptible pout. “What’s so wrong with that?”

  “Nothing, nothing at all,” Sam replied. “In fact about seventy-five percent of the population agrees with you. I cater to the other twenty-five percent.”

  “And just what does the other twenty-five percent want, Sam, that they can’t find on their own?” Jo asked, as her big blue eyes focused on Sam’s face. Her heart was beating out a crazy rhythm as his arm tightened around her hips, holding her firmly pressed to his lap.

  “I’m going to explain that, Jo, and I’m going to be brutally honest. You are going to sit here with me and listen, without a peep. When I’m finished you can ask me any questions you want and I will answer them to the best of my ability, no frills, no glossing over the details. The only thing I ask of you is that you keep an open mind, and I would appreciate your discretion as far as spreading this information around. The personal safety of many of my clients depends on it. Can you give me your word that this will stay between us?” Sam asked intently, cupping her cheek and forcing her to look at him. God, she was so beautiful, he thought. It would kill him to walk away if she failed to understand.

  Jo nodded and wiggled on his lap, making things even more difficult for Sam. Her small pink tongue licked across her lips, and he couldn’t help pulling her close for an intoxicating kiss, wondering if it would be the last one.

  “Before I begin, there is one more thing I need to tell you, Johanna,” Sam said after he reluctantly released her lips. ‘No matter how things turn out, I want you to know that I care deeply for you. I have never felt as strongly about a woman before. The minute I saw you in the café, I felt an instant connection. Since then it has only grown, and that is why, at some point before I leave here tonight, I’m going to spank you.”

  Jo’s small body snapped to attention and her jaw dropped. Damn, she’d been feeling all mushy, and now he had to go and say something like that.

  “The hell you are,” she insisted, struggling to get off his lap, her hands pushing against the brick wall he called a chest. Her feet started flailing, but on his lap they couldn’t touch the floor. Easily Sam captured her hands, holding them both in one enormous paw. After the day she had, it didn’t take long for her to tire herself out. Puffing her hair off her sweaty face, she fixed her eyes on his with an evil glare. “I don’t think so,” she huffed.

  “Then you would be wrong,” Sam calmly informed her, trying to smother his grin. He enjoyed their little wrestling match. The half erection he’d had before was now full-blown and trapped under her delightful ass. Her hair was messy, her lips puffed out in an angry pout and her lovely little bottom almost made him forget how serious this was, almost.

  “What happened today was totally unacceptable, Johanna. If you had been alone, you could have been seriously hurt.”

  Jo snorted.

  “Don’t you snort at me little girl. You passed out, and had I not been here to catch you, you could have sustained serious injury -- not to mention being physically unable to call for assistance. Ending up in a coma isn’t too far out of the realm of possibilities either and…”

  “How do you know all this? I only told you a little while ago. What are you a doctor?” she asked irritably, working to free her hands.

  “Smart phone,” Sam answered with an unholy glint in his eye. “There is absolutely no excuse you can give me to justify your behavior. How hard is it to grab a small meal with some protein and complex carbs? Hell, a peanut butter sandwich would be better than nothing and it doesn’t even require refrigeration.”

  “Alright, alright, I was stupid. I should have thought ahead, but I had no idea it was going to take so long to…”

  “No excuses, Johanna,” Sam informed her firmly.

  “And no spanking either, Sam,” she shot back. “I refuse to allow it.”

  “Unfortunately sweetheart, that’s not your decision to make,” Sam replied with a small smile twitching on his lips. “In case you haven’t noticed, I top you by about a foot and outweigh you by over a hundred pounds. When I decide to spank you, there isn’t a damn thing you can do about it.”

  “I can call the police,” she insisted smugly.

  “Yes, you can,” Sam agreed, nodding his head. “Of course, the spanking will have already taken place and that won’t make your bottom any less red or hot; but I’m sure I can afford the cost of bail. Let me know if that’s your plan so I can add a few smacks on for yo
ur impudent attitude,” he finished with a smile.

  “Sam, please,” she whispered, looking at him from under her lashes and wiggling her butt against his raging erection.

  Sam laughed and kissed her on the nose.

  “As much as I would enjoy your efforts while trying to dissuade me from spanking you, in all fairness I have to tell you they are a waste of time. I am going to teach you a lesson that I hope you won’t soon forget. You will take care of yourself, Johanna, one way or another. There is no reason whatsoever for you to let this situation repeat itself and I intend to make sure you remember that. Now, if you would like your spanking before we continue our talk, to get it out of the way, I can do that. Would you like you spanking first, Jo honey?”

  “No,” she growled. “I want my spanking never, you big bully.”

  Sam sighed as he moved to the center of the couch and began to pull her over his lap.

  “I don’t believe that was one of the options, sweetie,” he chuckled as he patted her bottom. “The question was now or later?”

  “Later, later,” Jo squealed in panic as he settled her firmly on her tummy, his strong arm around her waist, pinning her in place. Her long dark hair had fallen over her face during the ridiculously pathetic struggle she put up, and she couldn’t see a thing.

  Sam gathered her hair in his free hand and pulled it back, sweeping the silky mass over her shoulder and freeing her from the tangled mess. As she stared at him over her shoulder, her eyes filled with tears. Sighing, Sam turned her over, pulled her up and kissed her, gently wiping away the tears that streaked down her cheek.

  “Okay, honey, later,” he agreed. Scooping her up in his arms, he set her back down in the corner of the couch and handed her the glass of wine. Taking the opposite corner, Sam waited until her trembling hands held the glass securely and she tucked her foot under her bottom in a natural position. The importance of this talk was not lost on him. If he couldn’t make Jo understand, he stood to lose a woman who had quickly become very important to him. While he wasn’t sure it was love, it was damn close and walking away from her as he promised might not be possible. Sam refilled his glass and settled back onto the couch.